The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-10-28
BOTH SIDES OF A STEP
IChristian Uuion.1


her arms to receive serene-faced and white
haired old lady, who stood smiling on the
doorstep. I'm SO glad you've comep'
The welcome shone in her eyes, and need
ed no words, Notwithstanding the flushed
and tear-stained face at which Aunt Eunice
looked wonderingly.
I've been housekeeping more than
week." Mrs. Bronson explained as she led
the way into the little sitting-room. 81
hoped to get to rights before you came, but
you see l couldn't quite accomplish it."
"And somebody has been painting and pa
| pering, see. This is delightful
Miss Rowland looked about the room with
evident pleasure.
st is certainly delightful to have clean
house, but, Aunt Eunice, I'd give more just
now for clean conscience"
Mrs. Bronson's lip trembled, and the tears
began to fall again.
Tell me all about it. my DEAR" and Mrs.
Rowland drew the younger woman down
beside her upon the sofa with tender invita-
| ton of confidence and mute promise Of I'M
| limited sympathy.
1t was not easy for Mrs. Bronson to begin
the telling. She touched the plain gold ring
on her aunt's finger-a wedding ring.
''I've had my first quarrel with Harry"
she said at last in queer broken voice-the
result of her effort to keep her self-control-
"that is, we've had dreadful time; but it
ALIVE - takes two to make quarrel, as well
as bargain. doesn't 2"
''And there was only one in this caseP
Mrs. Rowland asked.
ttDnlvv I
worst of it. You see, 1 never worked so
hard in my life as / have the last week
Why, Aunt Eunice, I've actually scrubbed
fioorsl" and she spread out her plump little
hands with comical gesture. II hired
woman for two days-I couldn't afford to
haYe her any longer, and between us we got
the carpets down. But there wasn't single
thing in place when Harry came home last
night; nothing except the furniture. All the
books and knick-knacks were piled into the
Gle t, and the pictures were standing around
~. see every nail was pulled out Of the
wall, and 1t was anything but easy to drive
them in again so far up Well, asked
Harry to wipe the dishes for me after tea, so
we could get to work as soon as possible.
of course l supposed he'd help me, and be
glad to do 1t. But what do you think, Aunt
Eunice? he just came into the sitting
room. threw himself down on the lounge,
and took newspaper out of his pocket
never was SO astonished in my life / was
too astonished to speak, even, so didn't
speak. went for the step-ladder, dragged
it along to the mantelpiece and climbed up
on it to pound that great nail into the wall.
My hammer wasn't half big enough, either,
and / hurt my hand awfully-see there!'
and she pointed to little brulse on one Of
her fingers. Then got down again and
lifted that Madonna, your wedding present,
Aunt Eunice, and managed-Im sure don't
know how-to get it on to the nail Just a.
was pulling the ladder away, Harry be-
came conscious of what was about. oh,
let me help your he cried as pleasant as
possible, threw down his paper, and took
hold Of the ladder. By that time was lust
furious. Think Of his not noticing and not
helping me all that time No thank YOU
| said, as hatefully as possibly could; 1T
isn't likely you would feel any particular
interest In fixing up your own home II
you could have seen the look he gave me 1
But didn't appear to notice him. The lad
der was so heavy l had all could do to
manage it. gave it vicious twist, and it
toppled over, struck the mantle and the pic
ture, and smashed the glass into fifty pieces,
Harry laughed, and that was the worst of
all. Will you let me help you now?' he
said No, won't, Harry Bronson, never as
long as l liver He gave me that queer look
again, muttered something's don't know
what, but Harry never swears-and took up
his hat and left the house. OF course l ex-
pected him back in a few minutes, but, Aunt
Eunice," and Mrs. Bronson laid her hand on
her aunt's knee to emphasize the statement
which she made in most impressive man
merit was half-past eleven before he came
backl of course / was in bed, though /
worked the whole evening as hard as l could
spring; you know how you can work when
your temper's up-though l don't suppose
you do, Aunt Eunice," she added. you're
too good"
Mrs. Rowland smiled significantly, and
shook her head.
Harry thought l was asleep when he
came, but didn't sleep one bit all night.
We didn't speak to each other this morning
either, not one-single-word! Inever was
so miserable in all the days of my life. and
Harry won't be home till six o'clock to-
nightP'
The temporary excitement of her talk died
away in another storm Of ltears. Mrs. How
land frightened the clasp of her arm about
her neice's waist.
Wen talk this over when you are not so
excited" she said gently. II insist upon
your lying down for an hour, and using all
the will power you possess to get calm
again."
But the house is in such o state, and then
there's lunch, and
Never mind about the house. / can help
you myself when I'm little rested, and we
needn't think ABOUT lunch for three hours
yet"
Mrs. Rowland had her way, as she gener-
ally did; and for that reason it was fortu-
nate that her way was generally wise one
She sat beside her neice until the tears ceased
flowing, and the tense, narrowed nerves
gradually relaxed under her soothing pres
enee, then left her to fall asleep if possible.
Twenty minutes after, Harry Bronson
came home. He greeted Mrs. Rowland as
affectionateiy as his wife had done, then
looked anxiously into the next room.
where's Sis?" he inquired.
sup stairs-asleep, | hope. l made her
lie down. But why are you home at this
hour, Harry?"
81 don't feel well, Aunt Eunice. l didn't
sleep much last night. The fact is" and he
looked as if she would find it hard one to
believe, II treated Sis like brute last
night"
Mrs. Howland's eyes invited further conf
dence.
''You see" he went on with a sort of des-